another eye opens

Andy and I spent Fourth of July weekend in the country with our friends Ben and Tom at their house in Sullivan County. We took the train to Suffern via Secaucus — where the train station exhibited this, uh, unusual public art — where Tom was waiting to drive us to Barryville.

ah, relaxing on the sunny porch in Adirondack chairs

The holiday’s official activity centered on attending a party in Dingman’s Ferry that two theater queens have been throwing for 40 years. The theme this year was “Mad Men.” See Ben, Tom, and Andy in their appropriate attire. Plus, new Subaru.

Doug and Terry’s house is a riot of collectibles, including flamingoes…

kinky kachina dolls…

colorful kitchen (with obliging hippie)…

and fully stocked bar, complete with drag performer Steady Mess.

We enjoyed meeting Julie Matte, among others.

Sunday morning Ben whipped up a triumphant tortilla espaniola

then we spent a couple of hours preparing a BBQ feast

fun smart handsome group of guys

one friendly pooch

great hosts

happy guests